plannedCNSA
Tianwen-2 (Asteroid Sample Return)
China's first asteroid sample return mission targeting near-Earth asteroid 469219 Kamo'oalewa (2016 HO3), a quasi-satellite of Earth that may be a fragment of the Moon. Will collect surface samples and return them to Earth, then continue to flyby a main-belt comet. If successful, China joins Japan and the US as the only nations to return asteroid samples.
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Budget
Undisclosed (est. >$500M)
Timeline
2025–2030
Key Milestones
Launch on Long March 3B (planned)
2025
Rendezvous with Kamo'oalewa — sample collection
2026
Sample capsule return to Earth
2027
Extended mission — flyby of main-belt comet 311P/PANSTARRS
2030
Contractors
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Sources
- spacenews.com
- planetary.org